Mónica Ramírez

An episode of Brave, Not Perfect with Reshma Saujani

By Reshma Saujani /Girls Who Code

Get ready to leave perfect behind. Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, has run for office twice and failed. But exercising her bravery muscle led her to create a nonprofit that's reached 185,000 girls with its computer education programs and message of sisterhood. Join Reshma on her mission to show that being brave, not perfect, is the secret to changing the world.

The award-winning Brave, Not Perfect podcast, based on Reshma's internationally bestselling book, brings you interviews with changemakers with one thing in common. They decided it was better to be brave, not perfect.

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As women, we're taught to get everything lined up perfectly before we reach for that big dream or take the next step. But sometimes, just going for it is the secret to success. It's time to let go of what's holding you back and just start. Reshma reveals her big dream she's been scared to admit even to herself and takes one small step towards it. Plus, she's got a bravery challenge for you. You can tell Reshma your Brave, Not Perfect story or ask her a question by calling 347-76-BRAVE. Plus, you can follow her on twitter and instagram @ReshmaSaujani.
Guests: Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person to speak at a major political party convention and candidate for state senate in Delaware, gives Reshma advice about pursuing her big dream and discusses the fight for transgender equality. Plus, Gaby and Jenelle Acosta, hosts of The Way We Lead podcast, share their brave, not perfect story.
Sarah McBride's Twitter: https://bit.ly/2lyhKHp
Sarah McBride's DNC Speech: https://bit.ly/2lUjrii
The Way We Lead podcast: https://www.thewaywelead.com/

Do you worry about sounding dumb so you avoid asking questions or speaking up in meetings? Do you write down what you want to say, or go over and over it in your head? This week Reshma explores how that starts when we're young girls and keeps us from taking up space when we grow up. Plus, she gives you a bravery challenge so you can start to speak up for yourself in those moments that's really matter. You can tell Reshma your Brave, Not Perfect story or ask her a question by calling 347-76-BRAVE. Plus, you can follow her on twitter and instagram @ReshmaSaujani.
Guests: Dr. Joy Bradford, host of the Therapy for Black Girls Podcast, talks to Reshma about unique obstacles women of color face when it comes to bravery and perfection. Yamani Hernandez, Executive Director of the National Network of Abortion Funds, get personal and discusses standing up for yourself in those moments that really matter and how the medical establishment is gaslighting women.
Therapy for Black Girls: https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com
National Network of Abortion Funds: https://abortionfunds.org/

As women, we're missing out on a lot of fun. If we're bad at something, it can suck all the joy out of it. This week, Reshma explores how to break away from that perfection mindset. Her journey for joy takes her to an unexpected place where she has to face one of her fears. Plus, she's got a bravery challenge for you. You can tell Reshma your Brave, Not Perfect story or ask her a question by calling 347-76-BRAVE. Plus, you can follow her on twitter and instagram @ReshmaSaujani.
Guests: Paola Mendoza, an activist and filmmaker, talks to Reshma about finding joy and healing while fighting back against the Trump administration. Karen Rinaldi, author of (It's Great to) Suck at Something, discusses the joy of wiping out and shares her "gospel of suckitude."
(It's Great to) Suck at Something: https://bit.ly/2Lcqpsd
Paola Mendoza's Instagram: https://bit.ly/2Nyf0FW

You can't be brave if you're tired. As Reshma says, every woman she knows is tired because of all the responsibilities we're taking on. This week, Reshma's forced to take her own advice and get some rest. Plus, she explores why getting that rest is such an essential part of being brave. You can leave a voicemail for Reshma for your Brave, Not Perfect story or a question at 347-76-BRAVE. Plus, you can follow her on twitter and instagram @ReshmaSaujani.
Guests: Arianna Huffington, founder of Thrive Global and The Huffington Post. Author of The Sleep Revolution and Thrive.
Thrive Global: https://thriveglobal.com/

Does the idea of putting together furniture or changing a flat tire overwhelm you? Reshma explores the way young girls are discouraged from working through challenges and sitting with frustration—and how that impacts us later in life. Plus, we learn a surprising secret about the founder of Girls Who Code, who gives you a challenge to strengthen your bravery muscle. You can leave a voicemail for Reshma with your Brave, Not Perfect story or a question at 347-76-BRAVE. Plus, you can follow her on twitter and instagram @ReshmaSaujani.
Guests: Psychologist Angela Duckworth, author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance & MacArthur genius grant winner, gives Reshma valuable advice for her bravery challenge and gives thoughtful insight about how we should all use our grit. Patrice Banks, founder of Girls Auto Clinic, talks to Reshma about her journey from being an "auto air head" to opening her own car repair shop focused on empowering women to get comfortable fixing their vehicles.
Girls Auto Clinic: https://girlsautoclinic.com/
Angela Duckworth's TED Talk: https://bit.ly/28OsF8R
The Character Lab: https://characterlab.org/

Let’s work that bravery muscle—literally! Reshma explores the ways we’ve been teaching young girls to be fearful and gives you a bravery challenge to help you unlearn those messages. Plus, she takes on a physical challenge that’s haunted her since childhood. You can leave a voicemail for Reshma at 347-76-BRAVE. Plus, you can follow her on twitter and instagram @ReshmaSaujani.
Guests: Madame Gandhi, a feminist musician who joins Reshma for a conversation about free bleeding, boxing and how she started dreaming bigger. Caroline Paul, who's exceptionally adventurous and wrote the New York Times bestselling book The Gutsy Girl: Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure.
Madame Gandhi's Instagram: https://bit.ly/2H4ANAZ
Caroline Paul's TED Talk: https://bit.ly/2N5ur4k

Is worrying what other people think holding you back? Reshma explores how we can stop giving so many fucks. Tune in for Reshma’s musical debut. Stay for the insightful interview with visionary Elaine Welteroth, the former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue and current Project Runway judge. Plus, Reshma gets some tips about how to let go and has a bravery challenge for you.
You can leave a voicemail for Reshma at 347-76-BRAVE. Plus, you can follow her on twitter and instagram @ReshmaSaujani.

Ready to get brave? It's time to break away from the cult of perfection with your bravery coach, Reshma Saujani. This season, she's inviting you on a six week challenge to build up your bravery. Reshma's going to be working those muscles right alongside you, facing some of her biggest fears and admitting that big dream that keeps her up at night. Tune in this Tuesday for a very special treat.
Keep up with us on social by following @ReshmaSaujani on Instagram and Twitter—and be sure to check out the new Brave, Not Perfect Facebook group.

Robin Maxkii is a Native American technology activist, filmmaker, and writer. Robin first taught herself to use computers at the public library. She's been blogging since she was a pre-teen, and taught herself coding, but didn’t recognize her own talent until a teacher walked past her in the computer lab. Robin is a member of the Mohican Nation Stockbridge-Munsee band, a tribal college graduate and director of the first national Native American Collegiate Hackathon. Watch Robin’s SISTERHOOD video and follow her on Twitter at @rmaxkii.

Claire Wasserman is the incredibly brave woman behind Ladies Get Paid - an organization that provides the tools, resources, and a community to help women negotiate for equal pay and power in the workplace. Their mission - help ladies get paid! Asking for a raise and negotiating benefits at work can be a terrifying experience for anyone - and for women, who’ve been raised to accept what they’re told and stay in their lane, it’s actually creating a real problem: the gender pay gap (and leadership gap!). Did you know that 60% of today's college graduates are women, yet less than 22% make it past middle management? Tune in to the Brave, Not Perfect podcast for a conversation with Reshma and Claire about bravery, sexism, and getting paid. Follow Claire’s journey on Instagram at @clairewassermanxo and @ladiesgetpaid - and join their community at ladiesgetpaid.com

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. This week on the Brave, Not Perfect podcast, tune in to hear Reshma in conversation with her friend Susan about playing for Team Brave, supporting the sisterhood, and reinventing and finding yourself when life throws you a midlife curveball. Follow Susan on Twitter at @susanmcp1 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/susanmcpherson

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was a waiter, an activist, a girl from the Bronx who took on one of the most powerful men in New York City… and unseated him. Did you know that when she started running for Congress in her primary, people wouldn’t even take a photo with her, let alone endorse her?! This week on Brave, Not Perfect podcast listen to the Congresswoman talk about her run for Congress, why she thinks you should follow your curiosity, and what brave means to her. Follow Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter at @AOC and on Instagram at @Ocasio2018.

The more successful you become, the harder it feels to take big risks. This week on the Brave Not Perfect podcast, Reshma talks with Danielle Weisberg & Carly Zakin, founders of a little website you might have heard of… TheSkimm. The two former news producers launched theSkimm from their couch in 2012 as a newsletter - they now have over 7 million subscribers, reaching them Monday through Friday with bite-sized news and recommendations. Hear from these two failure champions about channeling their brave 25 year old selves - the ones who quit their jobs to start their own business - and feeling secure in who they are and what they do. Be sure to follow theSkimm's daily newsletter here: theskimm.com/?r=66f6da09 and on social media at @theskimm. Carly and Danielle are sharing their own adventures (and misadventures!) on Instagram at @carlyanddanielle.

What’s the one thing you’re most afraid of doing? The thing that if you could do it, you know it would make a major difference for you in your life? Rha Goddess calls that one thing your “ledge.” She says all of us are being called to some ledge, whether we’ve wanted to consciously acknowledge it or not. There’s at least one challenge, one change, one move, one dream quietly calling out to each of us that we’re afraid to step up to. Tune in to the Brave Not Perfect podcast for a conversation with Reshma Saujani and her executive coach, Rha Goddess. Follow her journey at @rhagoddess and @truepaidgood!

It's been said time and time again that women of color have to work twice as hard to earn half as much as their white counterparts. So this week on the Brave, Not Perfect podcast, Reshma is asking: Is imperfection an option for women of color? Reshma speaks with Morgan DeBaun, CEO & Founder of Blavity, about her experiences with imperfection and failure. Tune in to hear Morgan's journey from St. Louis to Silicon Valley and beyond. You can follow Morgan on Instagram and Twitter at @morgandebaun.

Brit Morin always wanted to be an inventor - and when the internet entered her world, she learned to infuse her love of creativity with technology. On this episode, join Reshma and the founder of Brit+Co for a conversation on building bravery, thinking creatively, changing the world, and facing up to perfectionism. You can find Brit on Twitter and Instagram at @Brit!

Rachel Simmons thinks that inside, we’re all still teenage girls. On our first episode of Season 3, join noted girlhood researcher Rachel Simmons and Brave, Not Perfect host Reshma Saujani for a conversation on growing up a girl in an age of social media, learning to ask for help and redefining the image of the perfect girl. Get in touch with your inner girl and all of the things that come with it (read: perfectionism). You can find Rachel on Twitter and Instagram at @RachelJSimmons to learn even more about building resilience in women and girls. Rachel is featured in Reshma’s newest book, Brave, Not Perfect - on stands February 5.

We're coming back to your ears for Season 3 - sharing the conversations Reshma has been having with changemakers from around the world - with a little twist. Every episode is going to highlight ideas from her new book, Brave Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, Live Bolder. Get ready to break free from the cult of perfection, redefine bravery, build a bravery mindset, and learn to survive failure, big and small.
Get ready to join Team Brave with Reshma this season! Start your journey by ordering a copy of her book, Brave Not Perfect (out February 5, 2019) and by joining us every week for the podcast. Episodes release at 6 am Eastern every Wednesday morning, starting next week.

Chloe Taylor's STEM story started when she wanted to meet boys at a co-ed science camp - instead, she found a love for robotics. After getting her degree from Carnegie Mellon and being lauded as an innovator, she became an elementary school teacher, and was surprised to hear the new comments people had for her: sweet, cute, nice. She kept up her love of STEM by facilitating a Girls Who Code Club, and learned to embrace her passions. Tune in this week to hear Chloe's journey to living her truth, being seen, embracing her flaws, and taking a leap of faith with the woman who inspired her to be brave, not perfect: Reshma. Follow her path on social media at @chloetaylortech!

She may be small, but won't stopping her from making a difference! Haven Coleman is a 12 year old climate activist who proves there’s no age or height requirement to save the world. She’s talked global warming with former Vice President Al Gore and shared the stage with advocates for issues across the board at the Teen Vogue summit - and she’s not afraid to make use of her power as a kid. Tune in to hear what it’s like to talk to government officials before your 13th birthday and why we need to pay attention to our climate. Follow Haven’s amazing journey on Twitter at @havenruthie and on Instagram at @climateactivism

Yelitsa Jean-Charles is the Founder & Creative Director of Healthy Roots - a doll company focused on promoting positive self-perceptions in girls through dolls with varying shades of complexion and natural hair textures. She still suffers with imposter syndrome even after being honored by Essence Magazine as one of the 50 founders to watch in 2017, but she’s ready to take the world by storm. Listen in to hear Reshma and Yelitsa talk about colorism and the way that toys affect the way our kids see themselves. Follow Yelitsa’s journey on Twitter at @TheYelitsa.

Clemantine Wamariya fled war-torn Rwanda with her older sister Claire in 1994, when she was just six years old. In 2018, she published the New York Times bestselling book The Girl Who Smiled Beads depicting her journey to America seeking refuge. This week, Reshma and Clemantine discuss the human side of war and the immense consequences of family separation. Follow her journey on Twitter and Instagram at @clemantine1, and learn more about her book at http://bit.ly/GirlWhoSmiledBeads

What’s holding women back from parity in finance? Natalia Quintero joins Reshma for a conversation on breaking up the boys club of investing, the importance of diversity in hiring, and why we’re most successful when we’re authentically ourselves. Follow Natalia’s journey at @NataliaZarina on Twitter!

Growing up in a single parent household and sharing basics like clothing, shoes, soap and underwear with her older siblings, Dre Thomas knew she wanted to make her life’s work about giving back to girls like her. At age 16, she came up with concept for Smile On Me - a community with the mission to awaken ever girl to her inner greatness by providing feminine hygiene products and workshops on self-esteem to girls in low-income communities. Tune in for a conversation about the importance of the little things in creating confidence in girls - and the importance of journaling and self care when working for others. Follow her work at smileonme.org/ and @SmileOnMeHQ on Instagram.

Data is powerful - and Yeshimabeit Milner, founder of Data for Black Lives, is using it to make a difference. Tune in for a conversation about the power of analysis in changing the way people think about issues like black infant mortality and the school to prison pipeline. Follow Yeshi’s journey on Twitter at @YESHICAN, and learn more about Yeshi’s work at d4bl.org.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is a politician, environmental advocate, veteran and a dedicated surfer - and she knows a thing or two about bravery. Tune in to hear Reshma and Tulsi discuss finding success in life through serving others, taking a stand for what is right, and practicing self care through yoga, meditation and surfing.

Join Liz Plank and Reshma for a conversation that runs the gamut from toxic masculinity to Iceland to sexuality and the Kavanaugh hearings. Liz is a journalist with Vox media covering everything that’s wrong and weird and crazy in the U.S. right now - and an expert on the men’s issues coming out of the women’s movement. Follow her at @Feministabulous on Twitter and Instagram.

Tune in for something epic. This week, Reshma sits down with Robin Arzon, VP & Head Instructor at Peloton. She’s a bestselling author, ultramarathoner, cycling and treadmill instructor - oh, and a former lawyer. Hear about Robin’s journey from hostage crisis to legendary fitness pro and how bravery made all the difference. Follow Robin on Instagram and Twitter at @robinnyc.

Lizzo knows a thing or two about self care - and she knows the universe is looking out for her and her girls. In a special SISTERH>>D episode, tune in this week for a conversation between Reshma and hip hop vocalist and all-around inspiration, Lizzo. Keep up with Lizzo on Instagram at @lizzobeeating and on Twitter at @Lizzo.

Get "Good and Mad" with bestselling feminist writer Rebecca Traister and Reshma on this week’s episode of Brave, Not Perfect. Tune in to hear Rebecca and Reshma talk about women’s anger in our current political moment, Brett Kavanaugh, and what it means to be taken seriously. Keep up with Rebecca on Twitter at @rtraister, and read her new book GOOD AND MAD: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger.

Ready to get inspired? We're back with all new interviews with Rebecca Traister, Clemantine Wamariya, Tulsi Gabbard and more! Leave the fear of failure behind - and join Reshma Saujani on her Brave, Not Perfect journey. Keep up with us on social by following @ReshmaSaujani on Instagram and Twitter, and @BravePerfectPod on Twitter!

Unless you were looking, you might have missed it - until 2017, hijabi women weren’t represented on the Emoji keyboard! Rayouf Alhumedhi was 15 when she realized it, and decided to do something. This week, she and Reshma talk about calling attention to important issues, making change, and experiencing imposter syndrome. (She’s 17 and already made an emoji a reality. She’s doing pretty well if you ask us!) Follow Rayouf on Twitter at @rayoufalh and Instagram at @rayoufalhumedhi.

For Kelly Roberts, bravery is going for a run in her sports bra. Hear from She Can and She Did founder Kelly Roberts on how she is redefining what strength looks and feels like. This week, Reshma and Kelly discuss the body positivity movement and finding joy through difficulty. Join Kelly's #SportsBraSquad - she is documenting her Brave, Not Perfect journey on Twitter and Instagram at @KellyKKRoberts.

Cristina Moreta has been fighting for immigrant rights her whole life. Today, Reshma re-airs her conversation with Cristina - with additional commentary in light of recent, horrific, news from our border. As the co-founder and executive director of the advocacy group United We Dream, Moreta became one of the 24 recipients to receive a 2017 MacArthur Fellowship as an advocate for the rights of undocumented immigrants. Follow Cristina's work at @CrisAlexJimenez and @UNITEDWEDREAM. This episode first aired on March 9, 2018.

Healing from the trauma of systemic oppression is hard - but Ashley Edwards is making it a possibility for youth of color in communities across the country with MindRight. MindRight gives kids a judgement-free space to talk through their lives and mental health with coaches who care. Hear Ashley and Reshma talk therapy, self care, and bravery on this episode of the Brave, Not Perfect Podcast. Follow Ashley's work at @TextMindRight

19 years old and undocumented in 2018 America - Natalia is as brave as they come. And she hasn’t let her status keep her from following her dreams. Tune in to hear Natalia talk about her documentary film, her activism, and how coding helps her stay positive. Watch her film at breachdoc.com and follow them on Twitter at @breachdoc.

She felt like one of the guys while trading on the Wall Street floor, but Lauren Foundos really found her strength when she left finance to start a fitness company, FORTË. Tune in this week as Reshma and Lauren talk bravery in leaving the past behind and making their immigrant families proud. You can find Lauren at @lfoundos on Twitter and Instagram.

Starting a business and flying alone with her son for the first time - Deepti Sharma is exercising her bravery muscle in every aspect of her life. Tune into the Brave, Not Perfect Podcast to hear Reshma and Deepti talk about motherhood and the transition from politics to business. Follow Deepti's journey on Twitter at @deeptisharma1!

Back in the 90s, Allison Yarrow slapped her friend across the face. This year, she wrote a book about the word that started it all: Bitch. Hear Reshma and Allison discuss media, culture, and gender equality in this episode of Brave, Not Perfect. Follow Allison on social media at @AliYarrow, and pre-order a copy of her new book, 90s Bitch: Media, Culture, and the Failed Promise of Gender Equality.

After experiencing Islamaphobia and racism firsthand in a post-9/11 America, Amani Al-Khatahtbeh felt alone. At age 17, Amani created media site MuslimGirl, giving girls all over the English-speaking world a platform to share their experiences. Listen to her story, and follow her journey at @xoamani and @muslimgirl.

Not all nudes were created equal. Atima Lui’s company is out to change that. NUDEST is building skin-tone matching technology to help people of every shade find products that match their nude. Reshma and Atima talk about their shared history of living up to the expectations of their refugee parents, reshaping beauty standards, and following dreams. Keep up with Atima on Twitter at @atimalui and @nudest_co.

Mónica Ramírez went to the Golden Globes this year- but you haven't seen her on screen. Mónica is the co-founder & President of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas - a national farmworker women’s organization fighting for the rights of farmworkers nationwide. Hear Mónica and Reshma discuss keeping up the fight and when to rest. Follow Mónica at @MonicaRamirezDC and @campesinasunite, and follow us at @ReshmaSaujani and @BravePerfectPod

If you were a producer with Oprah's TV network, would you ever leave? Corinne Gilliard did, and it might just be her bravest moment. Hear about her journey from Howard U to working for Oprah to leading creative development at Crooked Media, home of Pod Save America. Plus, Reshma and Corinne gush over #Beychella and HBCUs. Check her out on Twitter at @corinnegilliard, and while you’re at it, follow @braveperfectpod and @reshmasaujani too!

Molly Wood, the host of Marketplace Tech, just had “the talk” with her son. No, not that talk. The one about digital privacy and protecting yourself online. Reshma talks to Molly about the biggest story in tech, what it was like to be one of the first female podcasters, why more women should start pods, and about the time Molly was checking Twitter while drifting down to earth on a parachute. Check her out on Twitter @mollywood and while you’re there follow @braveperfectpod and @reshmasaujani too!

How do you combine degrees in theater and behavioral neuroscience? Sophie Shrand has got it figured out! Shrand hosts her own children's YouTube series 'Science with Sophie'. Playing herself and a variety of quirky characters, Shrand reveals the science behind oddities in everyday life, such as how potholes form, why we shed tears, and whether we can digest bubble gum if we accidentally swallow it. Reshma and Sophie talk about the importance of representation and becoming the role model you never saw. Follow Sophie at @ScienceWithSoph!

Stacey Abrams is running for governor in Georgia. If elected, she would become the first African American female governor in the United States- but you'll never guess what she does on the side! Hear about Stacey's brave journey and what she's ready to do next in this episode of Brave, Not Perfect.

Lane Murdock is a 15-year-old sophomore at Ridgefield High School and the architect of a nationwide walkout, scheduled for April 20, to protest gun violence in schools. In this episode, Reshma and Lane discuss what it's like to organize a movement as a teenager, and how adults can do more to impact change. Follow Lane on Twitter at @lanemurdock2002 and @schoolwalkoutUS.

Karina Givargisoff is the founder of the first-ever non-profit fashion media brand, Mission Magazine. In this episode, Karina and Reshma get into the beauty of making mistakes, pursuing your passions, and the importance of giving back.

Cristina Jiménez Moreta has been fighting for immigrant rights her whole life. As the co-founder and executive director of the advocacy group 'United We Dream' from New York, Moreta became one of the 24 recipients to receive a 2017 MacArthur Fellowship as an advocate for the rights of undocumented immigrants.

You ask. Reshma answers! This is the first Q&A episode of 'Brave, Not Perfect'. Want to be featured in a future Q&A episode? Be sure to send in your questions to bravenotperfectpodcast@gmail.com or call in directly using the Anchor Voice Message feature!

Anthony 'Tony' Jack, an Assistant Professor of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education explains the concept of the 'Privileged Poor' and systemic inequality in education in this episode of Brave, Not Perfect.

You ask. Reshma answers!
This is the first Q&A episode of 'Brave, Not Perfect'. Want to
be featured in a future Q&A episode? Be sure to send in your questions to bravenotperfectpodcast@gmail.com or call in directly using the Anchor Voice Message feature!

Tiffany Dufu, author, Chief Leadership Officer at Levo, and mother of two, is getting away from the curse of perfection. In this episode, Tiffany breaks down what it means to 'Drop The Ball' and how having it all doesn't necessarily mean doing it all.

Brave, Not Perfect features interviews with brave change makers in tech, politics and business. It’s hosted by Reshma Saujani, CEO of Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organization which aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science.